Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III, was born in Keauhou on Hawaiʻi Island, the second son of Kamehameha I. He was the younger brother of Kamehameha II, Liholiho, and succeeded the throne upon his death. Kamehameha III and his wife, Queen Kalama, adopted his nephew Alexander Liholiho as his successor who would later become Kamehameha IV in 1855. The reign of Kauikeaouli and Kalama was a significant time for the Hawaiian Kingdom and included the establishment of the first constitution as well as the Great Mahele. 

Their summer palace was built at Kaniakapūpū, and the remains of this structure are still in Nuʻuanu Valley and is now in a restricted watershed area managed by DLNR Forestry and Wildlife. The area is closed to visits from the public, but weʻve created a virtual field trip for people to explore this historic site in 360˚ photos and through guided videos with Baron Ching, a steward of this site. You can learn more about Kaniakapūpū on our website, or view the virtual field trip below (or fullscreen, here).